Manitoba civil service to vote on four-year contract: MGEU

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This article was published 12/01/2024 (972 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union says it has reached a tentative contract agreement with the province, impacting some 11,500 civil service members.

“We are pleased that our bargaining committee was able to reach an agreement that will help all civil service members catch up and keep up with the rising cost of living,” MGEU president Kyle Ross said in a news release Friday evening.

“Our bargaining committee is recommending that members accept the agreement. Now, it’s up to them to decide.”

According to the union, which had received a strike mandate from civil service members Oct. 6, highlights of the proposed four-year agreement (March 25, 2023, to March 19, 2027) include:

— General wage increases of 2.5 per cent (2023), 2.75 per cent (2024), three per cent (2025) and three per cent (2026);

— Addition of a new step (an additional 2.5 per cent) at the top of each wage scale, and advancement of all members to the next step of their wage scale, effective Oct. 7, 2023;

— A one-time lump-sum signing bonus of $1,800 per full-time employee ($900 for part-time employees);

— Improvements to member health benefits.

MGEU said it will hold online information meetings about the tentative settlement with members in the coming weeks, prior to a vote on whether or not to ratify the collective agreement.

“A 30 per cent vacancy rate in the civil service is strangling provincial public services, leaving Manitobans waiting longer for less,” Ross said.

“This agreement would help fix the civil service staffing crisis by improving the province’s ability to recruit and retain the skilled workers it needs to deliver the quality public services that Manitobans count on.”

The civil service membership spans a variety of areas, including correctional and conservation officers, public health inspectors, court clerks and social service workers.

MGEU has negotiated other high-profile membership contracts in recent months.

In August, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. liquor employees ended a month of labour action, including a province-wide strike, voting to accept a new four-year deal.

In November, Manitoba Public Insurance workers agreed to a four-year contract, following a strike that lasted more than two months.

In late December, food and beverage workers at two Winnipeg casinos ratified an eight-year collective agreement.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca